title: Assessing cost-effectiveness analyses in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
abstract: Economic considerations are now a source of great concern to clinicians and policy analysts. Many cost-effectiveness analyses have been published in the area of arthritis, most with substantial methodologic deficiencies. The goal of this article is to outline a method for evaluating cost-effectiveness assessment within the field of rheumatology. We do so by critically evaluating 6 cost-effectiveness analyses--2 in rheumatoid arthritis and 4 in osteoarthritis--as a basis for appraising the literature and developing future studies.
authors.affiliation: Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ruchlin
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Elkin
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Paget
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years